Reserve League Match 11: Crew defeats FC Dallas, 3-1

OBETZ, OH — The Columbus Crew Reserves (5-5-1, 16 points) defeated the FC Dallas Reserves (1-5-1, 4 points) by a final score of 3-1 on Tuesday morning at the Crew’s Training Facility in Obetz. Crew rookie Ryan Finley recorded a hat trick while Kenny Cooper cut the deficit with a late goal for the Hoops.

Finley gave the Crew an early lead in the sixth minute when he converted a one-time shot near post on a cross from Konrad Warzycha. Ramon Nunez nearly leveled the match 20 minutes later, but his free kick from just outside of the right side of the box curled off the crossbar, keeping the score 1-0 at the half.

The Crew was denied further chances late in the first half and into the second half as FC Dallas ‘keeper Chris Seitz made a trio of stops to deny goal-scoring opportunities in the 38th, 50th and 53rd minutes. Finley would benefit however in the 54th minute as Konrad Warzycha’s shot off of the post landed right in front of the rookie forward, who would tap in for his second goal. Finley would add his third on an unassisted goal in the 69th minute. The Crew’s second-half substitute goalkeeper Brad Stuver made an initial save on a shot from Dallas’ Jonathan Top in the 77th minute but a convenient rebound for Kenny Cooper was slotted home to put the visitors on the scoreboard in the final action of the match.

The Crew Reserves next take on the Montreal Impact Reserves on Saturday, September 14, at 4:30 p.m. ET following the conclusion of the first-team match at Stade Saputo, while the reserve squad of FC Dallas next travels to face the New York Red Bulls Reserves on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m. ET.